Viva Las Vegas: History of a Great American City

From humble beginnings as stopover railroad outpost to its current position as one of the most buzzed about and happening cities in the United States, Las Vegas has a rich and vibrant history.

The Las Vegas Sun recently put together a thoroughly detailed and incredibly interesting overview of all the highlights (and lowlights!) and important turning points in this great city’s history. You can check out their special coverage including a thorough timeline, interactive maps, videos and more here.

TAM® of Nevada is proud to have been a fixture in this town for over twenty-five years, but that’s just a blip on the radar for Las Vegas. Make sure to check out the Sun’s coverage on everything from the boomtown beginnings to mob ties, big personalities, population booms, and everything else in between. We were surprised by some of the facts we read (Did you know gambling was illegal in Nevada between 1909 and 1931?), and we loved reading through some of the specific coverage and stories on some of Las Vegas’ biggest personalities. Las Vegas residents should be proud to call such a diverse and interesting place home. It may be known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in America, but locals knows this is also a great metropolis with a rich history and lots to offer residents.

So, what say you TAM® Nation readers? What is your favorite part of Las Vegas’ storied history? What fact or figure surprised you most?